Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1929 - 2006 (Creation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
Extent1 box
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Ronald Edwin Press was born on the 28 August 1929 in Johannesburg. He went to school at the Marist Brother Observatory school, where he matriculated in 1946. He then went to further his education at the University of the Witwatersrand. He graduated in 1951 with a BSc (Chem.Eng.) Cum Laude and in 1952 completed his PhD.
It was in the same year 1952 when he became interested in South African politics, and soon got involved in various political activities. He joined the underground South African Communist Party in 1955, became the Secretary of the South African Textile Workers Union in 1956, and was arrested for Treason in 1956, together with the other 156 trialists.
His political involvement and subsequent arrest led to his dismissal from the University of the Witwatersrand in 1955, where he had held a lecture post in Chemical Engineering. After being banned twice in 1957, he finally left South Africa in 1962 with a one way exit permit.
He settled in the UK with his wife and daughter.
Ron Press became actively involved in the ANCs underground and MK structures. He provided scientific and technical expertise and support, as well as the development of electronic communication systems and services. These activities culminated in the Operation Vula in 1988.
His wife Sybil died in 1989. His daughter's family still live in the UK.
Dr Ronald Press died on the 28 October 2009, he was buried in London on the 5 November 2009.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The collection of Dr Ronald Edwin Press includes an Autobiography, a multimedia CD, photographs and various reliquaries of the South African anti-Apartheid struggle.
The collection was compiled by Dr. Ronald Edwin Press, (Ron Press), during his recent years of retirement. It reflects on his lifelong involvement in the Union movement of South Africa, the 1956 Treason Trial, banning, exile and subsequent activities as a technician of the ANC underground struggle, in various operations, including Operation Vula.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
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Finding aids
Uploaded finding aid
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Alternate title: Press, Ronald